Algerians protest president’s bid for 5th term

By Abdul Razak bin Abdullah</p> <p>ALGIERS (AA) – Algerians on Friday staged demonstrations in several cities, including capital Algiers, to protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s planned bid for a fifth term in office.</p> <p>According to local media reports, demonstrations were held in several Algerian provinces, including Annaba, Setif, Kalime, Jijel, Bejaia,Tizi Ouzou, Buira, Bumerdas, Tiaret, Relizane, Vahran and Ouargla.</p> <p>On Thursday, security was stepped up dramatically in Algiers in anticipation of demonstrations.</p> <p>On Friday, protesters marched from Algiers’ Belouizdad district to the city center, violating an 18-year ban on street demonstrations in the capital. </p> <p>Some protesters chanted slogans against Bouteflika’s planned bid for a fifth presidential term. Others explicitly called for the overthrow of his regime.</p> <p>Recent days have seen mounting calls on social media for countrywide demonstrations to protest Bouteflika's decision to run in presidential elections slated for April 18.</p> <p>Earlier this month, Algeria’s ruling National Liberation Front officially nominated the 81-year-old Bouteflika — who has ruled Algeria since 1999 — to run for a fifth term in office.</p> <p>Opposition leaders have repeatedly urged the aging head of state, who in 2013 was treated for a brain blood clot, to refrain from contesting the election.